Since the announcement of Disney Infinity the comparisons between that and Skylanders have been persistent. At Disney’s private event introducing the game system to the press, after some trials and hands-on testing, we can safely say that yes, it is a Skylanders imitation. But a fun one, and with the added pull of Disney.

Hosted by Disney at the Regal Cinemas at LA Live, the event showcased the Monsters University and the Lone Ranger playsets which will be launched with the starter kits in August. Press also got an extended sneak peek at both Monsters University and The Lone Ranger, starring Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp.

With the idea that toys from various universes could come to life with each other, Infinity sets will provide gamers with their own individual storyline that remains true to that Disney franchise. In our playtime with Monsters University, Sully and Mike were participating in Fear-It Week, attempting to outprank rival school Fear Tech, with wild items like paintball guns, toilet paper shooters, and even the Fear Tech mascot. But it was our time in Toy Box Mode that really caught our eye: It’s not often you see the tentacle-bearded Davy Jones driving Cinderella’s coach around while Dash Incredible attacks him at super speed. Other stations featured characters playing giant games of soccer or football.

GotGame will bring you more about Disney Infinity when we visit Disney Interactive on Thursday at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. For now, when people call Infinity a Skylanders knock-off, know that they’re right, but it doesn’t make it any less fun.

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Ryan Bates is a native of Southern California currently in a love/hate relationship with Las Vegas, Nevada. (It's complicated.) Ryan is a Nintendiehard but does not discriminate against other consoles. He is also involved with the growing Gaymer movement.
When not gaming, Ryan enjoys boxing, trying out new foods, and theme parks, and has a sick yet totally radical fascination with '80s and '90s pop culture.